Dog Agility is a canine sporting event in which a dog and a human work together so that the dog successfully navigates a series of obstacles arranged in a random course. The course is usually about 180 yards long inside an area about 100 feet square. Each course demands tactics and strategy from the handler to get their dog from start to finish through an array of obstacles within a limited amount of time. All sizes and shapes of dogs (and humans!) may compete. About the only restriction is weight. The dog must weigh at least 3 lbs in order to tip the teeter-totter!
Agility has been enjoying
enormous popularity in the United States for the past ten years with well-attended
competitions practically every weekend from Spring through Fall, nationwide.
The larger events draw thousands of competitors and attract huge, appreciative
audiences; in fact many competitions are now televised. It is a
truly international dog sport. There
are many organizations here in the United States and throughout the world
which sponsor agility “trials,” each with their own set of rules and regulations,
obstacle specifications, competitions and guidelines. Overall, it is designed
for FUN, both for the competitors (canine and human) and spectators. It
is the ultimate GAME played by dogs and their handlers.
Competition venues here in the United States include the American Kennel Club, North American Dog Agility Council, United States Dog Agility Association and Canine Performance Events. All-breed (mixes) dogs are welcome in all venues with the exception of AKC, which requires registration or Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) program listing, which allows unregistered dogs of recognized breeds to compete in AKC Performance and Companion Events. Although all breeds compete, the most popular breeds at this time are Shetland Sheepdogs, Belgian Tervurens, Border Collies, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Welsh Corgis and Papillons. (akc.org)
The idea of agility was
born in 1977 when the world famous Crufts Dog Show needed a “filler” in
the main arena between the end of the obedience championships and the start
of the group breed judging. John Varley, a member of Crufts Dog Show Committee,
approached Peter Meanwell, a successful working trials competitor and between
them they came up with a test inspired
by equestrian stadium jumpers,
probably based on Varley’s connection with the horse world. They never
lost sight of the goal that it should be fun, without being dangerous and
it should have spectator appeal. They built the equipment and contacted
another club to form a second team of dogs and they all helped each other
with training ideas and modifications to equipment. The two teams of four
dogs each arrived at Crufts in 1978 for the first ever agility competition
witness to a crowd reaction of such success that it was obvious it would
be continued. (agilitynet.com) By 1980, there were (UK) Kennel Club regulations
in place for subsequent Crufts competitions, and it was then introduced
in North America in its international form in 1986. (usdaa.com) The
sport has evolved its own additional obstacles, scoring systems and performance
ideals. It has become the most rapidly growing dog sport in North America.
Spectators at competitions get caught up watching the enthusiasm of the
dogs and handlers in their athletic race against the clock. A lot of people
have seen it on TV on Animal Planet or ESPN's “Incredible Dog Challenge”
and they think “my dog can do that!" and, yes, they can!
In agility there are vertical
levels of competition, i.e., Novice, Open and Excellent/Elite/Masters,
to which you earn the right to compete at the higher and more difficult
levels by qualifying at least three separate times (qualifying legs, or
Q’s) at each lower level. Each subsequent higher level is of course, more
difficult to complete, since the number of obstacles is increased and the
course design more complex, with "traps" built in to test the
dog and handler in order that they have to carefully plan their strategy
for running the course. The courses are also timed, and depending upon
how long the courses measure, each level is given a maximum time in which
to be completed. Higher levels have shorter time limits. Penalties and
or disqualifications are assessed if the dog and handler team is over time,
off course, or knocks down an obstacle. Obstacle heights (usually jumps)
are based on the height of the dog at the top of the shoulder. It follows
that taller dogs jump higher jumps while smaller dogs jump shorter jumps.
Each venue has a slightly different set of rules and standards. Most offer championships and local, national and international competitions. The "titles" are hard won and although they do not give the teams any financial return, they mean a great deal to the owners and handlers, giving them a huge sense of accomplishment, honor and respect for spending the time, energy and dedication necessary to progress so far. If you aren’t competitive but still are interested in agility you can always just participate in the “games” offered by NADAC and USDAA, such as “Tunnelers”, “Snooker”, “Relay” or “Pairs.” Basically, no matter which event you choose, for whatever reason, agility as a whole is a game you play with your dog.
How do you start? First learn basic obedience. The dog needs a good recall, sit and down. Dogs may NOT be dog- or people-aggressive either. So go to the park a LOT and teach your dog there are other dogs in the world with whom they can safely coexist. Introduce the dog to a few jumps or a ladder lying on the ground, walking the dog through on a leash. When “in training” handlers are encouraged to use whatever the dog loves most for encouragement. Cheetos? A tennis ball? A squeakie toy? The dog's stuffed tomato? Use it all! A handler dangles the proverbial carrot to lure his dog through the obstacle. He jumps the jump and is duly rewarded. Or throw the tennis ball after several jumps. In no time, the dog puts it all together: "If I just do this, I get to do that!" You want the dog to love it, so it's got to be fun, so they'll associate fun with agility. Tasty treats are also a must. Do it right - get a “cookie!” Jump up and down! Praise the dog! No holds barred! In this sport enthusiasm is ENCOURAGED! Remember this is an ACTIVE sport, so get in shape – both of you! Don’t risk injury by running an overweight dog.
You are also advised
to find a trainer and sign up for lessons, since most trainers have the
larger, more expensive obstacles available to learn and practice with.
The trainer will also help with commands, tips and techniques to help you
and your dog succeed and most importantly, teach safely and safety.
Obstacles may include jumps, tunnels, a dog walk, a see-saw or teeter, an A-frame, a table and weave poles. All jumps have easily displaced bars so that the dog will not experience injury should he miss and take down a bar. All obstacles that the dog must physically scale have “contact” zones painted on the entry and exit of each piece of equipment, which enforce safe training techniques since handlers know that dogs will be faulted unless one or more feet are in the contact zone while descending. All contact equipment surfaces are roughened for good traction in both dry and wet weather. (goletavalleydogclub.org)
The weave poles are the
hardest obstacle to learn, requiring lots of practice to be good and consistent.
Once they “get it,” you may even see a little light bulb go off over their
heads and then it becomes a lot of fun. Dogs generally love the tunnel
in any configuration. The teeter-totter moves and may intimidate some dogs,
so learning that obstacle requires patience – take it slow. PVC is easy
to model into jumps and weaves with a little patience and glue and can
be set up on a patio or in a living room or hallway if your back yard is
small or non existent.
Then, once you’ve got it, it’s time for competition! You grab your dog, some shade, a folding chair, a crate or expen, water and a snack for both you and the dog and off you go! At a trial the colorful obstacles are set up, and the field has a festive atmosphere. On agility courses, dogs "run naked." That means no collar, no leash, no treats. Just dogs and handlers. You will learn the sport specific art of “walking your course,” an often odd looking specter of handlers in their lucky socks or shoes or shorts or shirts (and knee and ankle braces), walking and running around an empty course en masse, swaying and leaning into the turns, dancing and stepping and twirling in time to their own internal melody, waving arms and hands about, sometime erupting with a “Turn!” or “Switch!” or “Tunnel!” Once the classes start you are witness to amazing prowess by a truly impressive array of dogs, from the tiny Pom to the regal Dane. Corgis especially excel in this sport, charging around, often yapping their heads off, explaining to the world that THIS gives true meaning to their life and they will master each obstacle Their way! And you better keep up and have their cookies ready at the end, or ELSE!
Some of the best handlers
are the kids since they seem to have an affinity with the dogs; more of
a rapport and a sense of fun with animals. Kid or adult, with lots of practice
eventually a team achieves fluidity and speed. The handler and dog are
operating as a unit, totally in sync with each other. Parent / child “quality
time” is a huge benefit enjoyed by some families who train and compete
together in agility. My teenaged daughter was first bitten by the agility
bug over three years ago (2001) when she observed a “demo” at the CA state
fair. Soon after she started with her Corgi “Fannie.” Originally, I was
the checkbook and the taxi for lessons, and then matches and trials. (It
was a HUGE improvement over years of soccer!) But it looked like so much
fun, I decided to try it myself with my new Corgi “Simon” in between conformation
shows. Since then I have endured “encouragement” by my daughter, which
included much finger pointing, eye rolling, teasing and laughter. Now we
compete together and enjoy many a weekend hauling our dogs and agility
“stuff” hither and yon, in search of the elusive “Q.” She remains by far
the superior handler and is helping her old mom along the way. A teenager
and her mom who actually SPEAK to each other, as well as DO STUFF together
is a novel, but rewarding experience!
Agility takes a large investment of time, with a huge return of fun and the chance to travel and meet new people. It offers a great way to stay in shape and keeps your dog healthy and happy and lets you do something with him that is a much greater challenge than sitting around the house and watching agility on TV!
© Lisa Halop, Rocky L Ranch all rights reserved
Written for GGPWCF, “Corgi Tracks,” 2005